Chalk attachment for billiard-tables.



W. SMITH & F. CAMPBELL. GHALK ATTACHMENT Ton BTLLTARDl TABLES.

APPLICATION l'lLBD JAN. 11, 1908. 905,380, .Patented Dec. 1-, 1908.

y 3SHEBTS-SHBET1-- W. SMITH & F. CAMPBELL. GHALK ATTAGHMENT 'Pon BILLIARD TABLES.

APPLIOATIQN EILED JAN. 11. 1908.

905.380. y Patented Dec. 1`, 1908.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

W. SMITH & F. CAMPBELL;

GHALK ATTACHMENT FOR BILLIARD TABLES. APPLIoAToN FILED JAN. 11, 190s.

905,380. Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig-12 WILLIAM sMrrHgANDmFRANKCAMPBELL, or GLAsGoW, SCOTLAND.

CHALK ATTACHJIIENT FOR BILLIARD-TABLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed January 11, 1908. Serial No.' 410,330.

To aZZ 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM SMITH, of 181 Main street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland, billiard-room proprietor, and FRANK CAMPBELL, of 56 Bain street, Glasgow, Scotland, billiard-room proprietor, subjects of the King of Great Britain, have invented a certain new and useful Chalk Attachment for Billiard-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

At present it is usual in billiard saloons and other places to have chalk Suspenders,

-the chalk beingV slung from a device attached to the ceiling of the room. Such Suspenders are inconvenient and in the fitting of the same to the ceiling or other part more or less damage is done.

Under our invention we provide an arrangement whereby the chalk is attached to the billiard table and is automatically drawn up under the ledge of the table by means of a weight (or spring), the connection of the chalk and weight being effected by means of a flexible connection such as a cord or chain or its equivalent and a steel wire or spring or its equivalent by means of which the chalk is prevented from striking against the table when being automatically drawn up under the table ledge.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood we have hereunto appended eX- planatory drawings which show by way of example, a method of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a plan of a billiard table with the chalk attachments indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. Sis a cross section taken on the line 3. 3. Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively, a front and sectional View showing the chalk attached to the spring wire. Fig. 6 is a similar view looking on the side thereof and shown with the chalk pulled up as when in use. Fig. 7 is a part section and part side view showing the connection of the wire with the cord. Fig. 8 is a view showing part of an under rail of the table having an eye piece shown thereon. Fig. 9 is a view of one of the weights. Figs. l0 and 11, 'show respectively, an end and Side view of a clip with chalk therein. Figs.

12 and 13 are similar views of a slightly modified form of clip and chalk. Fig. 14 is a cross section of a French billiard table `and shows a special litting for use in connection with such tables.

Referring to Figs. l to 3 the billiard table is made as usual with a top a, side rails b, end rails c, longitudinal under bars d, transverse under bars e and legs f, and may be fitted with six chalks and attachments therefor, two being fitted at each side and one at each end of the table. Stretched between the two longitudinal bars @Z at the center of the table is a cord or strip g which is, at its oenter, knotted or otherwise secured to the ends of two cords or the like h. Each cord h passes through a hole provided in the transverse bars e and is secured to the end of a spring steel wire z' which passes through a hole provided in the end rail of the table and to the outer end of this wire and outside of the table frame a small clip carrying a block of chalk j is secured by means of a short chain c. Between the cord or the like g and the transverse bar e, each of the cords h passes through a loop Z1 on a weight Z (Fig. 9) which latter draws the cord downwards and thereby draws the chalk beneath the table ledge.

The side chalks j are each secured in the same way to a spring steel wire z' by means of a chaln c. The wires z' pass through the side railsI` Z) and the inner end of each of these wires is connected by means of a cord h1 with the inner end of the wire in line with it at the opposite side of the table, the cords h1 being provided, between the longitudinal bars d, with weights Z having loops Z1 thereon through which the cords pass, each weight Z drawing one of the cords h1 downwards and thereby drawing two of the chalks beneath the table ledge.

The weights Z which are shown clearly at Fig. 9 may be of any suitable form and material and are made suliiciently heavy to draw `the chalks inward with the ynecessary rapidity.

rlhe holes in the funder bars cZ, e, of the table through which the cords h, h1 pass are each provided at one or both sides of the bar with a small plate m which has a hole m1 therein and is secured to the bar by means of screw nails m2.

The wires z' are each secured to a cord 7L or h1 by means of the arrangement shown at Fig. 7. The inner end of the wire is screwed at z'l and the end of the cord 71, or 71,1 is tied to an eye or ring 11,1 which is formed on the end of a thimble piece n, and the said end l of the wire is screwed into a hole 11,2 provided therefor in the thimble piece. The end of the thimble piece n comes in contact with the inner side of the end or side rail of the table when the chalk is drawn outwards and thereby acts as a stop.

The end or side rails of the table, as shown at Fig. 5, have the hole through which the wires z' pass each fitted with a bush or lining 0, which is made with a collar o1 at one end and is tapered externally, being driven into the rail from the outside thereof until the collar butts against the face of the rail.

Y between the wire z' and chain 7c.

being screwed up to the proper level.

The wires z' are secured to the chalk clips as shown at Figs. 4 and 5. The end of each wire z is turned back so as to form a loop to which the chain c is secured and on the end of the wire z' is a wooden or hard rubber or like ball or piece p, the wire being passed through a tapered hole in the ball which is then drawn tightly over the joint formed Fitted between the ball 79 and the table rail is a guide or stop ring g which is screwed into the ledge of the table near the outer edge thereof and is made with a shoulder g1 so as to insure its The chain 7c has a swivel 7:1 of any suitable form fitted near the center thereof, and this swivel allows the chalk to hang freely and prevents the chain becoming twisted and damaged.

The clips, by means of which the chalks are secured to the chains lo, are shown at Figs. 10 and 11 and in a modified form at Figs. 12 and 13. The chalk j shown at Figs. 10 and 11 is made rectangular, both ends or one end only, being adapted for use, and fitted round the center or near one end of the chalk is a strip or band r which may be made with a hinge r1 as shown or without a hinge. The chalk jl, shown at Figs. 12 and 13, is somewhat similar but is made cylindrical and the strip or band r2 thereon is shown without a hinge. The ends r3 and r4 of the strips or bands r and r2 are turned upwards and through these ends bolts r are passed and each strip or band is tightened round its chalk by means of a nut r on its bolt 1f. The chain 7c is secured to the bolt r between the ends of the strip or band. `When the chalk is hung from one end the chain may be attached so that the chalk will hang vertically.

The fitting shown at Fig. 14 is for use with a billiard table without pockets or other small tables where there are no under bars to support the cord. An eye s is screwed into each of the table side rails and a cord or wire or the like s1 is stretched between these eyes, the cord or the like s1 being made in halves and having therebetween a ring s2 through which the cord connected with the weight and chalk passes.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a table fitted with six chalks it is of course obvious that the number of chalks used my be increased or diminished as desired and the arrangement can be fitted in a variety of ways. In lieu of the weights we may use spiral or other springs for drawing the chalks beneath the table ledge, and in lieu of the spring wire we may use any other suitable and well known spring connection; the wire, however, we find to answer the purpose excellently.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 4 1. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk holding clip, flexible means fitted beneath the table and connecting the chalk clip therewith, means for automatically drawing the said flexible means beneath the table top and spring means for preventing the clip striking against the table top.

2. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk clip, fiexible and spring means fitted beneath the table and connecting the chalk clip therewith, means for automatically drawing the said flexible and spring means beneath the table top, a stop on the table and a block with tapered hole therein adapted to engage therewith and prevent the flexible means being drawn too far beneath the table.

3. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk clip, flexible means fitted beneath the table, a spring wire connecting said means with the chalk clip, means for automatically drawing the said iiexible means beneath the table top, a screw stop on the table and a ball with tapered hole therein on the spring connection adapted to en gage said stop.

4. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk clip consisting of a metal strip fastened by a bolt and nut, a chain connected to said clip, a spring, a cord connecting said spring with the table, a weight on the cord, a stop on the table and means adapted to engage said stop.

5. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk clip, a chain, a cord under the table, a spring wire connecting the chain and cord, a weight on the cord, guides for the cord, a stop fitted to the table and a ball on said spring wire.

6. The combination with a billiard table of a chalk clip, a chain with swivel, a

In testimony whereof We ax ourl signacord under the table, a spring Wire doubled tures n presence of two Witnesses.

at one end and screw threaded at its othell end, a coupling socket connecting the oord and Wire, guide means for the oord and Wire, a ball with tapered hole therein fitted on the Wire, a stop on the table, and means beneath the table for automatically pulling the cord.

WILLIAM SMITH. FRANK CAMPBELL.

Witnesses WILLIAM GALLS, ANDREW HAMILTON. 

